New rector for UST seminary

Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr, OP, (seated) takes on the role of father to the seminarians of the UST Central Seminary as its 12th rector.

MANILA, Nov. 12, 2012 — Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr, OP was officially installed as the new rector of the UST Central Seminary last November 7.

The installation followed after the Congregation for Catholic Education (for Seminaries and Educational Institutions) issued a decree last September 7, 2012, designating Fr. Pedregosa as the 12th rector of the UST Central Seminary (CS).

“Act of witnessing”

Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, III, OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines and former CS Rector presided over the installation, calling the event, “act of witnessing.”

During his homily, Timoner stressed the importance of formation and seminary life, saying, “Formation experience in the seminary and the ecclesiastical faculties will largely determine the kind of ministry and Church we will see in the future.”

Pedregosa commented on the strong show of support during the installation rites, saying, “The presence of the whole University is an indication of how important the seminary is in the life of the University.

He added, “Formation is a demand of discipleship.”

Show of support

UST officials, headed by the Rector Magnificus, Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, OP; professors of the ecclesiastical faculties; formators, alumni, and seminarians of the Central Seminary; members of the student body; the Thomasian community; members of the Dominican family; and the family and friends of Fr. Pedregosa graced the occasion.

More than fifty priests concelebrated the mass at the Central Seminary chapel, which included Dominicans from as far as Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

Afterwards, Fr. Pedregosa took his oath of office and the profession of faith.

True-blue Dominican

Fr. Pedregosa was born in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo on October 18, 1953.

He joined the Order of Preachers in 1971, the year when the Dominican Province of the Philippines was established.

He made his first religious profession on May 19, 1973 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 25, 1981.

After working for two years at the Parish of Santo Domingo, Quezon City, he was assigned to formation ministry as Master of the Students (of professed student-brothers) for nine years (1983-1992).

He was elected Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines for three terms (1992-1996; 1996-2000; 2008-2012) and he was stationed in Rome as General Councilor and Socius (Assistant) for Asia Pacific Region of the Master of the Order of Preachers from 2001 to 2008.

Storied career

He was Co-Chairperson of the Association of the Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) and a member of the Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations from 2010 until the end of his term as Provincial in April 2012.

Pedregosa served for twelve years as Vice Chancellor of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the universities, colleges and schools in the country, owned or supervised by the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

He has lectured at the Faculty of Theology of UST on Spiritual Theology and Religious Life.

He has also written articles on spirituality, religious Life and mission.

Recently, he authored two books, both published by the Dominican Institute of Preaching, Quezon City: The Love that is Mission (2011) and Leadership for Mission (2012). [Fr. Louie Coronel, OP/Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]

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